Contemporary tango is the evolution of a genre that has defined Argentina's cultural identity for over a century. While preserving the soul of traditional tango , this movement reinterprets it through new influences, styles, and fusions that make it resonate in the present.
From Astor Piazzolla , who revolutionized tango with his innovative compositions, to Gotan Project and Bajofondo , which integrated electronics and modern sounds, the genre has expanded its horizons in unexpected ways. At the same time, figures like Julio Pane and Cristian Zárate have kept the essence of tango alive with their personal touch. In this context, artists like Diego Schissi and Juan Pablo Navarro have taken the lead in taking tango to new dimensions, fusing tradition and innovation with a unique language.
Below, we present eight artists who have marked and are marking the path in the evolution of tango.
1. Astor Piazzolla: The pioneer of the revolution
Beginning of his career: 1950s
Innovative element: Creation of "New Tango," fusing traditional tango with elements of jazz and classical music, and incorporating unconventional instruments such as the electric guitar and percussion.
Most famous songs: Goodbye Nonino , Libertango , Oblivion .
If there is a name that redefined tango forever, it is Astor Piazzolla. His bandoneon didn't just tell stories; it reinvented them, exploding them in a whirlwind of sounds that clashed with tradition to create something completely new. When he appeared on the scene in the 1950s, many called him a heretic; his tango wasn't that of dark cafes and taciturn thugs. It was a fearless tango that drew from jazz and classical music to compose something that broke all the established rules.
Goodbye Nonino It's a heartbreaking cry turned into a melody, Libertango is a declaration of sonic independence, and Oblivion is one of the most thrilling pieces ever composed. Piazzolla was an architect of emotions, a man who knew that tango had to evolve or die, and with his audacity, he took it to a place it had never been before. Today, his influence is undeniable: every contemporary tango that seeks to push boundaries carries in its DNA the seed he planted.
Piazzolla not only transformed tango; he catapulted it into eternity.
2. Gotan Project: The French-Argentine trio that brought electronic tango to the world
Beginning of his career: 1999
Innovative element: A fusion of tango with electronic music, samples, loops, and minimalist production, giving rise to a new subgenre of global tango.
Most famous songs: Santa María (del Buen Ayre) , Different , Era .
Gotan ProjectBorn in Paris in 1999, the result of the meeting between the Argentine Eduardo Makaroff , the Frenchman Philippe Cohen Solal and the Swiss Christoph H. Müller . From that European city—far from the Río de la Plata—emerged one of the most revolutionary proposals of contemporary tango. The group's name is a nod to the River Plate lunfardo: "Gotan" is "tango" backwards, following the logic of vesre , a popular way of playing with syllables in Buenos Aires speech.
The premise seemed unthinkable: take tango, that music of the slums, and reimagine it with the tools of electronic music. But what they did was much deeper than adding beats to a bandoneon. Gotan Project built a sonic universe where tango mellow blends with hypnotic loops, subtle samples, and immersive atmospheres that evoke both Buenos Aires and a European dance floor.
With La Revancha del Tango (2001), they marked a turning point. Santa María (del Buen Ayre) is a modern ode to the city; an anthem that plays in clubs, movies, and playlists around the world. Diferente and Época take the tension of tango to new territories, where voices dissolve into seductive electronic textures.
In 2022, they surprised everyone with Club Secreto Vol. II , an album of remixes and new versions that explores territories such as post-dubstep, house, and digital cumbia, proving that their spirit remains as restless as ever. Over the course of more than two decades, Gotan Project not only brought tango to a global audience, but also transformed it into a music of the present. Listening to them is like traveling through Buenos Aires and Paris in the same rhythm, and discovering that tango still has much to say.
3. Diego Schissi : Innovation with deep roots
Beginning of his career: 2009
Innovative element: Integration of contemporary structures, jazz language, and exploration of the tango sound through chamber music.
Most famous songs: Tanguera , Tree , Liquid 5 .
Diego Schissi He is an architect of sound, a tireless explorer of tango who has managed to take the genre to uncharted territory without losing an ounce of its essence. Since his emergence on the scene in 2009, he has built a musical universe where tango dialogues with chamber music, jazz, and a rhythmic and harmonic structure full of unexpected twists. In 2009, he founded the Diego Schissi Quintet , one of the most solid and original proposals within the current tango scene.
Works such as Tanguera , Árbol , and Líquido 5 showcase Diego Schissi's versatility in reinventing tango from different perspectives. Tanguera pays homage to Mariano Mores with an energetic and contemporary reinterpretation; Árbol explores a more intimate and reflective tone; while Líquido 5 displays his most daring side, with shifting rhythms and surprising textures.
His album Apiazolado is a manifesto of his artistic vision. With it, he not only pays homage to Astor Piazzolla, but also reinvents and reinterprets him from a contemporary and completely personal perspective. It is no coincidence that this work earned him the Latin Grammy for Best Tango Album in 2024 , a recognition that confirms his status as one of the most influential figures in tango today.
Schissi isn't content with nostalgia or repeating formulas from the past. His tango is both cerebral and emotional, challenging yet accessible, complex yet deeply human. With his quintet, he has created a sound that breathes the DNA of tango but dares to dismantle it and rebuild it from its foundations. In his hands, tango is not just a genre; it's a constantly evolving language, a journey that invites us to look to the future without losing the connection with our roots.
CD/Vinyl available at Club del Disco.
4. Underfloor: A balance between classic and modern
Beginning of his career: 2002
Innovative element: Fusion of tango, rock, hip-hop and electronic music.
Most famous songs: Pa' Bailar , Perfume , Grand Guignol .
Bajofondo is a musical collective made up of Argentine and Uruguayan artists, founded in 2002 by Gustavo Santaolalla and Juan Campodónico . Their artistic approach combines the essence of tango and other River Plate rhythms with contemporary elements such as rock, hip-hop, and electronic music, creating a unique sound that has conquered international stages.
Since their debut album, Bajofondo Tango Club (2002), the group made clear their goal of expanding the boundaries of traditional tango, incorporating modern and urban sounds. Subsequent albums like Mar Dulce (2007) and Presente (2013) solidified their reputation, offering a perfect blend of tradition and innovation.
In 2019, Bajofondo released Aura , an album that further expanded their sonic boundaries, exploring psychedelia and diverse influences from Latin American music. This work reflects the group's constant evolution and commitment to musical experimentation.
According to posts on their official Instagram account, Bajofondo has announced that they are working on a new studio album, although a release date has not yet been specified.
Bajofondo's energy is fully evident in their live performances, where the fusion of traditional instruments like the bandoneon and violin with synthesizers and electronic beats creates an unparalleled sonic and visual experience. Their ability to reinvent the sound of the Río de la Plata has left an indelible mark on contemporary music, attracting new generations and keeping the essence of tango alive in the 21st century.
5. Juan Pablo Navarro: Tango in symphonic key
Beginning of his career: 2016
Innovative element: A fusion of tango with symphonic arrangements and jazz, exploring new dimensions of the double bass sound in the genre.
Most famous songs: The Dizzy , Fog of the Riachuelo , The reason .
Juan Pablo Navarro is a virtuoso who has achieved something extraordinary: turning the double bass into a narrator of tango stories with a depth rarely seen. His music is a delicate balance between tradition and avant-garde, an invitation to explore tango from a symphonic perspective without losing its suburban essence.
Since his album Los Dopados , Navarro has made it clear that his approach goes beyond the conventional. In his septet , each instrument dialogues with the double bass as if wrapped in a precise choreography of sound, exploring nuances of melancholy and the power of tango.
Works such as Los mareados , Niebla del Riachuelo , and El motivo reflect his ability to reinterpret classics with a contemporary perspective. The first two feature the stellar collaboration of Fito Páez , whose voice brings a unique sensitivity, somewhere between tango and poetry. In Los mareados , the double bass guides the narrative with an emotional charge that finds an ideal expressive ally in Fito. Niebla del Riachuelo intensifies the melancholy of Buenos Aires with an almost cinematic treatment, while El motivo becomes an exercise in lyricism, intimacy, and respect for tradition.
In recent years, Navarro has presented Visiones Pandémicas (2024), an introspective work born during confinement, where he explores collective emotions through his own compositions and versions of Piazzolla works such as Soledad and Retrato de Alfredo Gobbi . He is also preparing the edition of Concierto Avalancha for Septeto Tanguero y Orquesta , recorded with the Juan de Dios Filiberto National Orchestra. This work, still in the mixing process, promises to be one of the most ambitious contributions to symphonic tango in recent years.
Navarro isn't content to simply repeat the past; he redefines it. His double bass isn't just an instrument: it's an orchestra in itself. He's the perfect synthesis of the delicacy of tango and the immensity of the symphonic, an artist who combines the intimate and the grand with astonishing ease.
CDs Available at Club del Disco.
6. Ramiro Gallo: The fusion of tango with chamber music
Beginning of his career: 2000
Innovative element: Integration of violin and chamber music structures in tango.
Most famous songs: Becho's Violin , Stay , Don't name it .
Ramiro Gallo is a violinist who has successfully transformed tango into a symphonic work without losing its suburban essence. Since bursting onto the scene in 2000, he has taken tango to realms closer to chamber music, exploring the fusion of academic and popular music with extraordinary sensitivity. In his music, each note is a brushstroke on a sonic canvas where melancholy, passion, and sophistication coexist.
His violin doesn't just sing: it tells stories. In his performances of pieces like El Violín de Becho , Quédate , and No lo nombres , one can perceive the pulse of the city, the murmur of the Buenos Aires streets, and the echoes of a tango that isn't afraid to transform itself. His work with the Quinteto Ramiro Gallo demonstrates his ability to blend the traditional with the experimental, creating pieces in which tango dialogues with jazz, classical music, and the most complex orchestral structures.
In 2024, Ramiro Gallo released two key works: Alquimia , an album featuring 18 of his own compositions that explore new nuances of contemporary tango, and Todas las cosas, y el tiempo , a work focused on the passage of time, with guests such as Patricia Barone and Néstor Marconi. Both projects consolidate his ongoing quest to fuse tradition with the avant-garde.
Ramiro Gallo continues to explore new sounds and projects that fuse tango with other musical expressions, remaining active in the composition and presentation of works that challenge the traditional boundaries of the genre.
7. Pablo Gignoli: The new bandoneon
Beginning of his career: 2010
Innovative element: Exploration of the bandoneon in combination with rock, jazz and sound experimentation.
Most famous songs: Dogs without an owner , Volver , TAXXI Tango XXI .
Pablo Gignoli He's a bandoneon player who challenges the boundaries of tango, fusing its essence with genres like rock and jazz. Since bursting onto the scene in 2010, he's proven that the bandoneon can be both melancholic and ferocious, creating a whirlwind of emotions where tradition meets sonic experimentation.
Her recent single, "Perros sin Dueño ," is a testament to her artistic audacity. This electric and visceral tango combines deeply rock-like lyrics with a bandoneon that vibrates in a psychedelic universe. The participation of legendary drummer Fernando Samalea adds an extra layer of intensity to the composition. This track is the first preview of her upcoming album, "After the Storm ," which promises to continue exploring the fusion of tango with other contemporary sounds.
In Después de la Tormenta , Gignoli presents seven original compositions that explore rock, electronica, and jazz fusion. This work features collaborations with artists such as Sebastián Volco on keyboards and synthesizers, Heber Argumedo on electric bass and guitar, and Fernando Samalea again on drums.
Currently, Gignoli continues to explore new forms of musical expression, fusing tango with various genres and preparing future collaborations that promise to continue challenging the boundaries of traditional music.
CD available at Club del Disco.
8. Hernán Jacinto: Exploring tango through jazz
Beginning of his career: 2012
Innovative element: Fusion of tango with jazz structures and harmonies.
Most famous songs: Por una cabeza , Mis Buenos Aires querido , Volver .
Hernán Jacinto is a pianist and composer who has achieved something rarely seen: bridging the gap between tango and jazz without losing either's essence. His music is a conversation between two worlds, a dialogue in which rhythm and improvisation flow with an almost magical ease. His virtuosity is not simply a technical display, but a tool for reinventing tango through freedom and exploration.
In his album, "Gardel," Jacinto delves into tango classics with a fresh perspective, reimagining their melodies with unexpected harmonies and a rhythmic richness that defies any mold. Each of his performances is a journey in which the tango breathes with a distinct cadence, where silences and nuances carry as much weight as the notes themselves. His ability to transform the familiar into something completely new is what has positioned him as one of the most interesting voices in tango today.
He is currently participating in the Speaking Tango project with Minino Garay and Flavio Romero , exploring new tango sounds through instrumental and performance aspects. His piano playing, both in the studio and live, is an explosion of creativity that defies genres, structures, and labels.
The future of tango is here
Contemporary tango not only honors the past but also constantly reinvents itself. These artists are redefining the genre and bringing it to new audiences around the world. Their work proves that tango is still alive and constantly evolving. It is not a genre of yesterday: it is an eternal language, a heartbeat that resonates in every corner of the world, waiting to be discovered again and again.
Related artists: Diego Schissi , Juan Pablo Navarro, Pablo Gignoli, Hernán Jacinto.